Celebrate Valentine's Day With Your Kids!

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So February 14th is rolling around again, and why not take advantage of thisholiday by giving your children a little extra love and attention. As a parentmyself, I am sure that you give your children all the love and attention theyneed, but I also know that sometimes we get caught up in the hustles and bustlesof day to day life. Use this opportunity so you too can relax, have fun andmaybe even be a kid again yourself! With a little extra time and effort you canmake this day extra special and unique, by celebrating and reconnecting withyour children in the tradition of Valentine´s Day. Here aresome fun ways to celebrate with your kids:

  1. Plan Ahead! Sit down with your child the weekend before Valentine´s Day andhelp them write or create Valentine´s Day cards for their friends andclassmates. Use this opportunity to teach your child a good life lesson, "To bekind to others and treat everyone with the same respect that they would like forthemselves". Think back to your days of grade school. Remember how sometimesValentine´s Day became a measure of popularity when one childgot no Valentine´s, while another child got more Valentine´s then even another.It may be a nice gesture to encourage your child to equally giveValentine´s Day cards to all of their classmates and friends.
  2. Even though you may not be able to spend the entire day with your child, youcan make your presence known during the middle of the day by leaving an "I LoveYou", "XOXOXO", or Happy Valentine´s Day card or note in their lunchbox. Itmight embarrass them a little, but deep down inside it will warm their heartsand have a lasting loving affect.
  3. Make an extra special dinner for the family. Why not have a family picnic?Depending on which part of the country you live in, some of you may be thinking"Hey, it´s cold in February!" Be creative, you can have a picnic either insideor outside. Think red or pink for theme decor. Lay a red or pink blanket down,surround yourself with pillows and make it comfy! Use some heart shapeddecorative napkins, Valentine´s Day themed plastic plates and utensils. For themeal, red or pink food coloring can turn almost any food into a Valentine´s Daythemed food. How about some Valentine´s Day BBQ Chicken, mashed potatoes withred food coloring added, or white cheddar macaroni and cheese with red foodcoloring added. For the veggies you can have tomatoes, radishes, red peppers, orbeets. For drinks, cherry flavored cool aid, raspberry ginger ale, or strawberryQuick may be fun! Ready for dessert? You can use the traditional sweets such asheart shaped chocolates, cupcakes with red or pink frosting, or sugar cookiescut out with a heart shaped cookie cutter made with red food coloring andsprinkles. Or try some healthy alternatives, sugar-free strawberry or cherryJell-O, strawberries and cool whip, or apples sprinkled with cinnamon and sugarand cut into hearts using a heart shaped cookie cutter.
  4. Give them a lesson in history! Are you wondering why we even beguncelebrating Valentine´s Day? I am sure your kids were wondering the same thing.Here is a little history that you can share with them over you special dinner.Some of the legends that I have heard state:
    • St. Valentine was a priest during third century Rome, andthe emperor during this time was Emperor Claudius II. Emperor Claudius II feltthat single men made better soldiers then those that were married. St. Valentinewas a priest that married young couples against his Emperor´s wishes. WhenEmperor Claudius II found out that St. Valentine married the young couples, hesentenced St.Valentine to death.
    • Another fable states that Valentine was an imprisoned man that fell in lovewith his imprisoner´s daughter. Right before Valentine was put to death he wrotea love letter to the imprisoner´s daughter and signed it "Your Valentine".
    • Yet another tale speaks of Cupid as he relates to Valentine´s Day. Inancient Greece Cupid was known as Eros the young son of Aphrodite, (the goddessof love and beauty). While, in Rome, he was the son of Mercury, (wingedmessenger of the gods), and his mother was Venus the (goddess of love). Eitherway, he was considered a mischievous and playful infant who struck humans andgods with his bow and arrows. It has been declared that those who were struck bythe arrows would fall in love.
  5. Involve your kids in a family project! Buy a disposable camera for eachfamily member, and take pictures during your day. Buy some pink, red, or whiteposter boards and label them "My Special Valentine´s Day","Valentine´s Day with My Family", or anything else, you as a familychoose! Don´t forget to add the year so you can remember the exact date. Useglitter, stickers, and colored markers to decorate. Once you develop the photos,you can add the photos to the decorated poster board as a family and create acollage of your special day.
  6. Give your kids a gift to remind them of this special day. Use the internetto facilitate your shopping experience. For some great gift ideas, designer babybedding, clocks for kids rooms, bedroom furniture for kids, personalized itemsfor kids and so much more visit www.kidsdecorgalore.com.

However you decide to celebrate this day, make it a memorable one withteachings of love, friendship, kindness, and family unity. The Staff atKidsDecorGalore.com wants to provide you with great articles like this one, anda secure online shopping environment without the hassle and time of running allover town to create your dream nursery, bedroom, or playroom.

For more décor articles, designer baby bedding, clocks for kids rooms, bedroom furniture forkids, personalizeditems for kids and more log onto http://www.kidsdecorgalore.com

This article was written by A. Mutton and The Staff atKidsDecorGalore.com.
This article copyright © MKAM Enterprises, L.L.C,kidsdecorgalore.com. 2006-2007.